InSites : news from the North Carolina Division of State Historic Sites

Published by the N.C. Division of State Historic Sites, Office of Archives and History, N.C. Department of Cultural Resources.
Home office located in the Dobbs Building at 430 N. Salisbury Street, Raleigh, N.C. (919-733-7862) Kay P. Williams, Director.
Volume XXII, No. 2
April-May 2006
IN THIS ISSUE
Incoming Historic Sites
Director Keith
Hardison eager to get
going
page 1-2
Annual N.C. History
Bowl slated for May 5
in Raleigh
page 2-3
News from and upcom-ing
colonial history pro-grams
at Alamance
Battleground
page 3
A busy spring on tap at
Roanoke Island Festival
Park
page 4-5
“Farm Days” coming
up at Aycock Birthplace
page 5-6
Podcast committee
formed in division
Page 6
Miscellaneous news on
division employees
page 6-7
News “Grab Bag”
page 8
A CONVERSATION WITH INCOMING N.C. HISTORIC SITES
DIRECTOR KEITH HARDISON
By its very nature, N.C. Historic
Sites presents any new director with
many challenges. The division’s proper-ties
are far-flung, budgets are often tight
and the sites themselves very different,
ranging from a transportation museum to
a Revolutionary War historic home.
However, after weathering Hurricane
Katrina and then turning the new Louisi-ana
State Museum in Baton Rouge into a
shelter for over 40 displaced or homeless
staff members and their families, incom-ing
Director Keith Hardison can proba-bly
handle almost anything!
Born and raised in Tennessee,
Keith Hardison most recently was divi-sion
director of the Louisiana State Mu-seum
in the state’s capital, playing a key
role in opening a 69,000 square foot
branch facility in February. Working in
various administrative positions, he was
with Louisiana’s museum system from
2000-2006.
Previously, Historic Sites’ new director (he begins work April 17) was ex-ecutive
director of Knoxville’s Mabry Hazen House Museum and director of educa-tion,
interpretation, and visitor services at the Pamplin Historical Park and the Na-tional
Museum of the Civil War Soldier in Petersburg, Va. From 1986-1999, he was
executive director of Beauvoir, Confederate President Jefferson Davis’s home and
library in Biloxi, which sadly was heavily damaged in Katrina. Early in his career,
Hardison worked at the John E. Conner Museum in Kingsville, Tex., and the Heri-tage
House Museum in Orange, Tex.
Keith Hardison holds a bachelors in history from David Lipscomb Univer-sity
in Nashville and a masters in museum science from Texas Tech in Lubbock.
Since entering the history field, he has done everything from 18th and 19th-century
interpretation to conducting oral history interviews, to teaching history at an elder-hostel
program.
His honors include being named the city of Biloxi’s 1998 Historian of the
Year and chairman of the Jefferson Davis Death Centennial Commemoration Com-mittee
(1988-89). Simon and Schuster even asked Hardison to write the Beauvoir
listing for its “Encyclopedia of the Confederacy” (1993), which was scarcely a
(over)
Check out our
website:
nchistoricsites.org
Incoming N.C. Historic Sites Director
Keith Hardison
2
April—May 2006
stretch since he had already edited the book, “Beavoir: A Walk Through History” (1988).
Though his early years were spent in the Volunteer State, Hardison says, “North Carolina has
always been a second home for me and now it will be a first home.” This is no “feel good” rah-rah on
the new director’s part; a branch of the Hardison family settled in 1720 in what is now Martin County
and over the years, Keith has spent a lot of time on Tarheel turf
Asked what attracted him to North Carolina and Historic Sites, he said, “The state is both geo-graphically
varied and very diverse in terms of its heritage; it has military, social, colonial, frontier, and
even technical innovation history, the Wright Brothers’ flight, for example. I have also been impressed
with the systematic, organized, and professional way state government has approached North Carolina’s
history.” Since beginning his career in the field, Hardison has done everything from public relations to
research and even conservation but says administration and interpretation are his favorite areas in public
history. He also says he feels interpretation should be a very high priority for agencies like N.C. His-toric
Sites.
North Carolina’s diversity, exemplified by new, non-traditional audiences such as Latinos, is
one of N.C. Historic Sites’ strengths as well as a challenge, asserts Hardison. When asked what admin-istering
a history museum in as multicultural state as Louisiana taught him, he said, “We found you need
to go back to common themes in developing interpretation, for example, colonial history is the story of
people coming the New World. This is a theme that runs throughout American history and continues up
to today. Finding a way to reach all audiences is not an option but a requirement. And the staff we hire
should reflect our diversity as a state.”
When asked about issues within the agency, the incoming director mentioned the importance of
strong, two-way communications and a master plan but for now, he is eager to get out to all the sites, see
our facilities and meet everyone. “I’m committed to finding out what all’s going on,” he says. “I’m a
field guy.”
Saying he is honored to have been chosen as director of Historic Sites, Hardison cites his goals
as building on the agency’s firm foundation through teamwork at all levels and utilizing staff and man-agers’
strengths. He and his wife have already moved to Raleigh and are getting settled in right now.
Impressed with the dedication and length of service typical of the agency’s employees, Keith Hardison
says he is very excited about getting started on the job.
—Editor
SPRING HAS SPRUNG SO IT MUST BE TIME
FOR THE ANNUAL N.C. HISTORY BOWL
FINALS!
“Which of the Wright Brothers won the coin toss
that allowed him to be the first to attempt to fly?”
“Which Confederate commander was ordered to stop
General Sherman's army advance through North Carolina
during the Civil War?” Why is the area off Cape Hatteras
known as the "Graveyard of the Atlantic"? (Answers:
Orville Wright, General Joseph E. Johnston, and the large
number of shipwrecks located there.)
Thursday, May 18, questions and answers like
these will be echoing off the walls of the auditorium walls
in the Archives and History Building in Raleigh, as teams
of middle school students that have already swept the
(next)
Charlotte Hawkins Memorial Site Manager An-drena
Coleman (left) congratulates the winners of
the CHB/Alamance Battleground regional N.C.
History Bowl from McDougle Middle School in
Chapel Hill.
competition on a regional level go head to head in the annual N.C. History Bowl championship.
For months now, these and other dedicated students have been boning up on North Carolina
history, feverishly preparing for the annual N.C. History Bowl State Championship, which N.C. Historic
Sites has sponsored for the past 26 years. Finalist teams from eight schools will compete from 9 a.m.-
4:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 18 for the coveted prize and a trophy.
The competing teams come from Albemarle Middle School in Albemarle, Atlantic Elementary
School in Atlantic, Camden Middle School in Camden, Harnett Central Middle School in Angier, Kan-napolis
Middle School in Kannapolis, Magellan Charter School in Raleigh, McDougle Middle School
in Chapel Hill, and West Craven Middle School in New Bern.
Stay tuned for the exciting results!
—Editor
LOTS GOING ON AND COMING UP AT ALAMANCE BATTLEGROUND
Since the site premiered its new orientation film back in December, there’s been something stir-ring
at Alamance Battleground. Thanks to Site Manager Bryan Dalton and interested local citizens in
Alamance County, a support group for the Revolutionary War state historic site has recently been
formed. The site has never before had a private, 501C3 to assist them in preservation, public program-ming,
and exhibits so the creation of a support group for Alamance is very welcome (and exciting) news.
The site is also eagerly anticipating a slate of unique, free public programs in May, surely one of
the loveliest months of the year in the piedmont. Saturday, May 13-Sunday, May 14, Alamance Battle-ground
will join its local chapter of the Sons of the American Revolu-tion
(SAR) to recall three significant events that took place in the
county during America’s epic struggle for independence 225 years
ago. From 10 a.m. Saturday and 1-5 p.m. Sunday, the site will com-memorate
Pyle’s Defeat on Feb. 24, 1781; the Battle of Clapp’s Mill,
March 2, 1781; and the Battle of Lindley’s Mill, Sept. 13, 1781.
The three battles will be recalled with a formal ceremony at 2
p.m. on Saturday, along with musket and cannon demonstrations pre-sented
by site staff and volunteers, all in period costume. Such family
activities as 18th-century open-hearth cooking in the Allen House,
candle dipping, quill writing, and a chance for the kids to play with
reproductions of toys like their young forbearers enjoyed in the 1700s
will also liven things up.
Then, Tuesday, May 16, Alamance will celebrate the 235th
anniversary of the Battle of Alamance, along with the SAR and the
Battle of Alamance Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revo-lution.
At 6 p.m., members of the public are invited to take part in a
special ceremony at the 1880 battle monument, followed by a covered
dish picnic under the pines (attendees are requested to bring a favorite
covered dish or two), accompanied by live dulcimer music. (This
program is part of the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources “NC In
Tune” initiative.)
—Bryan Dalton
(over)
3
April-May 2006
Colorfully costumed reenactors lend
authenticity to a Patriot’s Day pro-gram
at Alamance Battleground.
PIRATES, CYCLING, JAZZ, ELIZABETHAN ���FAIRE” AND MORE AT
ROANOKE ISLAND FESTIVAL PARK
An active spring is planned at Roanoke Island Festival Park in Mateo, featuring a recreation of a
pirate battle, cycling and walking fundraisers, an Elizabethan “country faire”, an art show with every-thing
from paintings to stained glass, two different jazz concerts, a stage production of the farcical
“Bloody Mary and The Virgin Queen”, and lots more.
A complete schedule of events for April and May follows:
Pirate Day
April 22, 10 a.m.
Maritime Museum on Roanoke Island
Get ready for the battle! The Meka II, an armed privateer and small tra-ditional
sailing craft from Beaufort, has challenged the Elizabeth II to a
mock battle on Saturday, April 22, at 1 p.m. across from the Manteo
waterfront. The event is just one of several pirate-related activities
scheduled that day at the NC Maritime Museum on Roanoke Island and
Roanoke Island Festival Park. For more information call (252) 475-
1500.
Tour de Cure Cycling Event
April 22
Outdoor Pavilion
100-mile ride from Chesapeake, Va. to Manteo where participants will
end their fundraising journey at Roanoke Island Festival Park. A benefit
for the American Diabetes Association. For more information, call
(757) 455-6335, Ext 3276 or 1-888-DIABETES, Ext. 3281
Elizabethan Tymes: A Country Faire
April 28-29, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Outdoor Pavilion
The faire will open Friday, April 28, and continue through Saturday, April 29. A Faire Parade, beginning at 10
a.m. Saturday, will feature the Baronial Court arriving at the Town of Manteo docks. The Court will be escorted
across the Cora Mae Basnight Bridge to open the day’s festivities at Roanoke Island Festival Park. The Faire will
be held, rain or shine, on April 28 and 29 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. It is open the public. The admission price to the
Faire is included in Roanoke Island Festival Park’s general admission ticket and is good for both days of the event.
For more information call (252) 475-1500.
March of Dimes- Walk America 2006
April 29, 9 a.m.
Outdoor Pavilion
The March of Dimes will sponsor this event. Registration at 9 a.m. and the walk begins at 10 a.m. The five-mile
walk takes participants through historic Manteo, followed by a picnic. For additional information call (757) 361-
0000 or 1-800-732-7097.
9th Annual Mollie Fearing Memorial Art Show
May 1-29, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Art Gallery
The Dare County Arts Council produces this annual show honoring Arts Council founder and lifetime supporter of
the arts, Mollie Fearing. The show features local paintings, drawings, sculptures, photography, stained glass and
more! Some of the works will be offered for sale. An opening reception for the show will be held Sunday, May 7
from 4 -6 p.m. The show is free and open to the public. For more information, call the Dare County Arts Council at
(252) 473-5558 or Roanoke Island Festival Park at (252) 475-1500 or visit us online at www.roanokeisland.com.
(next)
This young pirate can’t wait for the mari-time
battle between the “Meka II” priva-teer
and Festival Park’s own “Elizabeth
II”!
4
April-May 2006
Barbara Martin and Mac Walter Concert
May 4, 8 p.m.
The Film Theatre
Barbara Martin will present a rich stew of earthly blues and folk peppered with sassy, swinging jazz. Tickets are
$10 and may be purchased in advance at the Visitor Center at the park or at the door the night of the event.
Mark Nizer, Comedian and Juggler
May 12, 8 p.m. and May 13, 10:30 a.m.
The Film Theatre
Mark Nizer will bring his original comedy and world-class juggling to the stage for two shows, one for a more
mature audience on Friday at 8 p.m. and the other for children on Saturday at 10:30 a.m.. Both shows are part of
the Mother’s Day Weekend festivities offered at the park. Tickets for the evening show are $10 and may be pur-chased
in advance at the Visitor Center at RIFP or at the door the night of the event. The morning show is free to
general admission ticket holders and Friends of Elizabeth II. For more information call (252) 475-1500.
First Flight High School Jazz Band
May 14, 7:30 p.m.
Outdoor Pavilion
The Mother’s Day weekend events will be concluded on Sunday, May 14th with a concert presented by the First
Flight High School Jazz Band, a twenty-member group that has performed locally. Guests are encouraged to bring
a picnic and enjoy the concert on the lawn. It is free and open to the public. For more information call (252) 475-
1500.
Bloody Mary and The Virgin Queen
May 17, 24, and 31, 3 p.m.
Film Theatre
This production is a humorous musical farce based on the relationship between Queen Elizabeth I and her half-sister,
Mary Tudor. The two loathed one another and yet are buried in the same tomb in London’s Westminster
Abbey. The production takes place in the tomb, in the present day. Admission is free. For additional information
call (252) 473-1061 or (252) 475-1500 or visit www.roanokeisland.com.
Outer Banks Jaycees Beach Music Festival
May 28, 3-8 p.m.
Outdoor Pavilion
Fun in the sun and beach music all day. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. For additional infor-mation
visit www.darecountyjaycees.com
—Tanya Young
FARM HERITAGE WEEK COMING UP
AT AYCOCK BIRTHPLACE
Once again, Gov. Aycock Birthplace near
Fremont will host its educational Farm Heritage
Week program Monday-Friday, May 8- 12. Each
day, Wayne County fourth graders will be buzzing
around the site as they learn about late 19th century
life through a host of demonstrations presented by
site staff and volunteers.
From 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m., students can watch
a variety of demonstrations including basket weav-ing,
quilting, spinning, plowing, corn shelling and
(over) 5
April-May 2006
Students watching how the “education governor” and
his family would have sawed wood in the late 1800s.
grinding, blacksmithing, rope making, land surveying, and open hearth cooking. The kids can even
learn how to do quill pen and ink writing, cross cut sawing and even play an old fashioned game of
townball (19th-century version of a bat and ball game that inspired the modern game of baseball and can
be traced back at least as far as the 16th-century). The week-long program will include activities packed
full with learning and excitement. For more information, call (919)242-5581.
—Sarah Liles
HISTORIC SITES PODCAST PLANNING COMMITTEE FORMED
A committee of Historic Sites professionals and managers from across the state has been formed
to help sites plan and create innovative podcasts that will catapult the division’s interpretation program
fully into the 21st century. Chaired by new Museum and Visitor Services Chief David Latham, the com-mittee
met for the first time Thursday, April 6.
Committee members include Natalie Alford, Jann Brown, Mary Cook, Chris Morton, John Rin-con,
Tricia Samford, Chris Graham, and Rich Thompson. Over the next few months, the committee,
along with Jim Willard and Cheyney Hales, will be working with sites on the podcast project. (Cheyney
recently completed a podcast for Tryon Palace, which has been mounted on the Cultural Resources web
site, along with another podcast on the Wolfe Memorial done by the Cultural Resources Marketing Of-fice.
Go to http://www.ncculture.com/podcast/longform.asp to listen to or download either or these
pieces.)
The first priority on the podcast project is to complete audio tours of each state historic site by
early fall, at the request of Secretary Evans’ office. Equipment has been ordered and is now being re-ceived
to enable site managers and staff to record audio content, which will then be assembled and pro-duced
as a podcast in the Raleigh home office. More information on plans for the podcasts’ production
will be passed on as it becomes available.
—Editor
COMINGS AND GOINGS
Please welcome to the division:
• Michelle Lanier, new curator of cultural history, stationed at Charlotte Hawkins Brown Museum.
This is a new position designed to provide support to all 27 sites in terms of diversity programming
and to assist in increasing audiences of color at the state historic sites. Michelle has been on-board
since April 3.
• Marty Matthews, new research curator, stationed in the Raleigh home office. He replaces Dr. Rick
Knapp, who retired this past summer. Marty will join us April 17. (The editor will be particularly
happy to have Marty on board as she has had no copy editor since Rick’s much lamented departure!
• Chris Graham, who will be working on podcasts and other special projects under Museum, Capitol,
and Visitor Services, has transferred to the home office from the N.C. Museum of History.
(next) 6
April-May 2006
• Mike Shelton, new Historic Interpreter I at Vance Birthplace.
• Diane Bahnson, new Historic Interpreter II at Historic Stagville. She started on the job March 1.
• Natalie Alford, new marketing director at the N.C. Transportation Museum.
Please welcome back:
• Mia Graham, who returned to Bennett Place as Historic Interpreter II on Feb. 15. She was also mar-ried
to Lucas Berg March 1.
• Laura Ketchum, who returned to Duke Homestead Feb. 15 after 4-1/2 months maternity leave.
Please congratulate:
• David Latham, promoted to Museums, Capitol, and Visitors Services Chief. He replace Ed Morris,
who retired this past fall. A longtime employee of Historic Sites, David has already begun working
in the position.
DIVISION NEWS GRAB BAG
• Wolfe Memorial may soon have a virtual tour in the works …
• There’s some house-moving going on at Historic Edenton …
• Horne Creek’s web page (!) is in the process of a much-need revamp, with the help of a dedicated
volunteer …
• Scott Warren and Courtney Hybarger from Polk recently visited their colleagues at the Polk Ances-tral
Home in Columbia, Tenn. Some joint programming may be in the offing …
• If you’re going to be at the beach this spring, do check out Roanoke Island’s web page. They’ve got
a “boatload” of activities planned for April and May.
• Bentonville Battlefield had a very successful 141st battle anniversary program March 18-19 , which
focused on the history of field medicine.
• Ft. Dobbs’ “War for Empire” French and Indian War program attracted big crowds to the
site April 8-9.
7
April-May 2006

Click tabs to swap between content that is broken into logical sections.

Published by the N.C. Division of State Historic Sites, Office of Archives and History, N.C. Department of Cultural Resources.
Home office located in the Dobbs Building at 430 N. Salisbury Street, Raleigh, N.C. (919-733-7862) Kay P. Williams, Director.
Volume XXII, No. 2
April-May 2006
IN THIS ISSUE
Incoming Historic Sites
Director Keith
Hardison eager to get
going
page 1-2
Annual N.C. History
Bowl slated for May 5
in Raleigh
page 2-3
News from and upcom-ing
colonial history pro-grams
at Alamance
Battleground
page 3
A busy spring on tap at
Roanoke Island Festival
Park
page 4-5
“Farm Days” coming
up at Aycock Birthplace
page 5-6
Podcast committee
formed in division
Page 6
Miscellaneous news on
division employees
page 6-7
News “Grab Bag”
page 8
A CONVERSATION WITH INCOMING N.C. HISTORIC SITES
DIRECTOR KEITH HARDISON
By its very nature, N.C. Historic
Sites presents any new director with
many challenges. The division’s proper-ties
are far-flung, budgets are often tight
and the sites themselves very different,
ranging from a transportation museum to
a Revolutionary War historic home.
However, after weathering Hurricane
Katrina and then turning the new Louisi-ana
State Museum in Baton Rouge into a
shelter for over 40 displaced or homeless
staff members and their families, incom-ing
Director Keith Hardison can proba-bly
handle almost anything!
Born and raised in Tennessee,
Keith Hardison most recently was divi-sion
director of the Louisiana State Mu-seum
in the state’s capital, playing a key
role in opening a 69,000 square foot
branch facility in February. Working in
various administrative positions, he was
with Louisiana’s museum system from
2000-2006.
Previously, Historic Sites’ new director (he begins work April 17) was ex-ecutive
director of Knoxville’s Mabry Hazen House Museum and director of educa-tion,
interpretation, and visitor services at the Pamplin Historical Park and the Na-tional
Museum of the Civil War Soldier in Petersburg, Va. From 1986-1999, he was
executive director of Beauvoir, Confederate President Jefferson Davis’s home and
library in Biloxi, which sadly was heavily damaged in Katrina. Early in his career,
Hardison worked at the John E. Conner Museum in Kingsville, Tex., and the Heri-tage
House Museum in Orange, Tex.
Keith Hardison holds a bachelors in history from David Lipscomb Univer-sity
in Nashville and a masters in museum science from Texas Tech in Lubbock.
Since entering the history field, he has done everything from 18th and 19th-century
interpretation to conducting oral history interviews, to teaching history at an elder-hostel
program.
His honors include being named the city of Biloxi’s 1998 Historian of the
Year and chairman of the Jefferson Davis Death Centennial Commemoration Com-mittee
(1988-89). Simon and Schuster even asked Hardison to write the Beauvoir
listing for its “Encyclopedia of the Confederacy” (1993), which was scarcely a
(over)
Check out our
website:
nchistoricsites.org
Incoming N.C. Historic Sites Director
Keith Hardison
2
April—May 2006
stretch since he had already edited the book, “Beavoir: A Walk Through History” (1988).
Though his early years were spent in the Volunteer State, Hardison says, “North Carolina has
always been a second home for me and now it will be a first home.” This is no “feel good” rah-rah on
the new director’s part; a branch of the Hardison family settled in 1720 in what is now Martin County
and over the years, Keith has spent a lot of time on Tarheel turf
Asked what attracted him to North Carolina and Historic Sites, he said, “The state is both geo-graphically
varied and very diverse in terms of its heritage; it has military, social, colonial, frontier, and
even technical innovation history, the Wright Brothers’ flight, for example. I have also been impressed
with the systematic, organized, and professional way state government has approached North Carolina’s
history.” Since beginning his career in the field, Hardison has done everything from public relations to
research and even conservation but says administration and interpretation are his favorite areas in public
history. He also says he feels interpretation should be a very high priority for agencies like N.C. His-toric
Sites.
North Carolina’s diversity, exemplified by new, non-traditional audiences such as Latinos, is
one of N.C. Historic Sites’ strengths as well as a challenge, asserts Hardison. When asked what admin-istering
a history museum in as multicultural state as Louisiana taught him, he said, “We found you need
to go back to common themes in developing interpretation, for example, colonial history is the story of
people coming the New World. This is a theme that runs throughout American history and continues up
to today. Finding a way to reach all audiences is not an option but a requirement. And the staff we hire
should reflect our diversity as a state.”
When asked about issues within the agency, the incoming director mentioned the importance of
strong, two-way communications and a master plan but for now, he is eager to get out to all the sites, see
our facilities and meet everyone. “I’m committed to finding out what all’s going on,” he says. “I’m a
field guy.”
Saying he is honored to have been chosen as director of Historic Sites, Hardison cites his goals
as building on the agency’s firm foundation through teamwork at all levels and utilizing staff and man-agers’
strengths. He and his wife have already moved to Raleigh and are getting settled in right now.
Impressed with the dedication and length of service typical of the agency’s employees, Keith Hardison
says he is very excited about getting started on the job.
—Editor
SPRING HAS SPRUNG SO IT MUST BE TIME
FOR THE ANNUAL N.C. HISTORY BOWL
FINALS!
“Which of the Wright Brothers won the coin toss
that allowed him to be the first to attempt to fly?”
“Which Confederate commander was ordered to stop
General Sherman's army advance through North Carolina
during the Civil War?” Why is the area off Cape Hatteras
known as the "Graveyard of the Atlantic"? (Answers:
Orville Wright, General Joseph E. Johnston, and the large
number of shipwrecks located there.)
Thursday, May 18, questions and answers like
these will be echoing off the walls of the auditorium walls
in the Archives and History Building in Raleigh, as teams
of middle school students that have already swept the
(next)
Charlotte Hawkins Memorial Site Manager An-drena
Coleman (left) congratulates the winners of
the CHB/Alamance Battleground regional N.C.
History Bowl from McDougle Middle School in
Chapel Hill.
competition on a regional level go head to head in the annual N.C. History Bowl championship.
For months now, these and other dedicated students have been boning up on North Carolina
history, feverishly preparing for the annual N.C. History Bowl State Championship, which N.C. Historic
Sites has sponsored for the past 26 years. Finalist teams from eight schools will compete from 9 a.m.-
4:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 18 for the coveted prize and a trophy.
The competing teams come from Albemarle Middle School in Albemarle, Atlantic Elementary
School in Atlantic, Camden Middle School in Camden, Harnett Central Middle School in Angier, Kan-napolis
Middle School in Kannapolis, Magellan Charter School in Raleigh, McDougle Middle School
in Chapel Hill, and West Craven Middle School in New Bern.
Stay tuned for the exciting results!
—Editor
LOTS GOING ON AND COMING UP AT ALAMANCE BATTLEGROUND
Since the site premiered its new orientation film back in December, there’s been something stir-ring
at Alamance Battleground. Thanks to Site Manager Bryan Dalton and interested local citizens in
Alamance County, a support group for the Revolutionary War state historic site has recently been
formed. The site has never before had a private, 501C3 to assist them in preservation, public program-ming,
and exhibits so the creation of a support group for Alamance is very welcome (and exciting) news.
The site is also eagerly anticipating a slate of unique, free public programs in May, surely one of
the loveliest months of the year in the piedmont. Saturday, May 13-Sunday, May 14, Alamance Battle-ground
will join its local chapter of the Sons of the American Revolu-tion
(SAR) to recall three significant events that took place in the
county during America’s epic struggle for independence 225 years
ago. From 10 a.m. Saturday and 1-5 p.m. Sunday, the site will com-memorate
Pyle’s Defeat on Feb. 24, 1781; the Battle of Clapp’s Mill,
March 2, 1781; and the Battle of Lindley’s Mill, Sept. 13, 1781.
The three battles will be recalled with a formal ceremony at 2
p.m. on Saturday, along with musket and cannon demonstrations pre-sented
by site staff and volunteers, all in period costume. Such family
activities as 18th-century open-hearth cooking in the Allen House,
candle dipping, quill writing, and a chance for the kids to play with
reproductions of toys like their young forbearers enjoyed in the 1700s
will also liven things up.
Then, Tuesday, May 16, Alamance will celebrate the 235th
anniversary of the Battle of Alamance, along with the SAR and the
Battle of Alamance Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revo-lution.
At 6 p.m., members of the public are invited to take part in a
special ceremony at the 1880 battle monument, followed by a covered
dish picnic under the pines (attendees are requested to bring a favorite
covered dish or two), accompanied by live dulcimer music. (This
program is part of the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources “NC In
Tune” initiative.)
—Bryan Dalton
(over)
3
April-May 2006
Colorfully costumed reenactors lend
authenticity to a Patriot’s Day pro-gram
at Alamance Battleground.
PIRATES, CYCLING, JAZZ, ELIZABETHAN ���FAIRE” AND MORE AT
ROANOKE ISLAND FESTIVAL PARK
An active spring is planned at Roanoke Island Festival Park in Mateo, featuring a recreation of a
pirate battle, cycling and walking fundraisers, an Elizabethan “country faire”, an art show with every-thing
from paintings to stained glass, two different jazz concerts, a stage production of the farcical
“Bloody Mary and The Virgin Queen”, and lots more.
A complete schedule of events for April and May follows:
Pirate Day
April 22, 10 a.m.
Maritime Museum on Roanoke Island
Get ready for the battle! The Meka II, an armed privateer and small tra-ditional
sailing craft from Beaufort, has challenged the Elizabeth II to a
mock battle on Saturday, April 22, at 1 p.m. across from the Manteo
waterfront. The event is just one of several pirate-related activities
scheduled that day at the NC Maritime Museum on Roanoke Island and
Roanoke Island Festival Park. For more information call (252) 475-
1500.
Tour de Cure Cycling Event
April 22
Outdoor Pavilion
100-mile ride from Chesapeake, Va. to Manteo where participants will
end their fundraising journey at Roanoke Island Festival Park. A benefit
for the American Diabetes Association. For more information, call
(757) 455-6335, Ext 3276 or 1-888-DIABETES, Ext. 3281
Elizabethan Tymes: A Country Faire
April 28-29, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Outdoor Pavilion
The faire will open Friday, April 28, and continue through Saturday, April 29. A Faire Parade, beginning at 10
a.m. Saturday, will feature the Baronial Court arriving at the Town of Manteo docks. The Court will be escorted
across the Cora Mae Basnight Bridge to open the day’s festivities at Roanoke Island Festival Park. The Faire will
be held, rain or shine, on April 28 and 29 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. It is open the public. The admission price to the
Faire is included in Roanoke Island Festival Park’s general admission ticket and is good for both days of the event.
For more information call (252) 475-1500.
March of Dimes- Walk America 2006
April 29, 9 a.m.
Outdoor Pavilion
The March of Dimes will sponsor this event. Registration at 9 a.m. and the walk begins at 10 a.m. The five-mile
walk takes participants through historic Manteo, followed by a picnic. For additional information call (757) 361-
0000 or 1-800-732-7097.
9th Annual Mollie Fearing Memorial Art Show
May 1-29, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Art Gallery
The Dare County Arts Council produces this annual show honoring Arts Council founder and lifetime supporter of
the arts, Mollie Fearing. The show features local paintings, drawings, sculptures, photography, stained glass and
more! Some of the works will be offered for sale. An opening reception for the show will be held Sunday, May 7
from 4 -6 p.m. The show is free and open to the public. For more information, call the Dare County Arts Council at
(252) 473-5558 or Roanoke Island Festival Park at (252) 475-1500 or visit us online at www.roanokeisland.com.
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This young pirate can’t wait for the mari-time
battle between the “Meka II” priva-teer
and Festival Park’s own “Elizabeth
II”!
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April-May 2006
Barbara Martin and Mac Walter Concert
May 4, 8 p.m.
The Film Theatre
Barbara Martin will present a rich stew of earthly blues and folk peppered with sassy, swinging jazz. Tickets are
$10 and may be purchased in advance at the Visitor Center at the park or at the door the night of the event.
Mark Nizer, Comedian and Juggler
May 12, 8 p.m. and May 13, 10:30 a.m.
The Film Theatre
Mark Nizer will bring his original comedy and world-class juggling to the stage for two shows, one for a more
mature audience on Friday at 8 p.m. and the other for children on Saturday at 10:30 a.m.. Both shows are part of
the Mother’s Day Weekend festivities offered at the park. Tickets for the evening show are $10 and may be pur-chased
in advance at the Visitor Center at RIFP or at the door the night of the event. The morning show is free to
general admission ticket holders and Friends of Elizabeth II. For more information call (252) 475-1500.
First Flight High School Jazz Band
May 14, 7:30 p.m.
Outdoor Pavilion
The Mother’s Day weekend events will be concluded on Sunday, May 14th with a concert presented by the First
Flight High School Jazz Band, a twenty-member group that has performed locally. Guests are encouraged to bring
a picnic and enjoy the concert on the lawn. It is free and open to the public. For more information call (252) 475-
1500.
Bloody Mary and The Virgin Queen
May 17, 24, and 31, 3 p.m.
Film Theatre
This production is a humorous musical farce based on the relationship between Queen Elizabeth I and her half-sister,
Mary Tudor. The two loathed one another and yet are buried in the same tomb in London’s Westminster
Abbey. The production takes place in the tomb, in the present day. Admission is free. For additional information
call (252) 473-1061 or (252) 475-1500 or visit www.roanokeisland.com.
Outer Banks Jaycees Beach Music Festival
May 28, 3-8 p.m.
Outdoor Pavilion
Fun in the sun and beach music all day. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. For additional infor-mation
visit www.darecountyjaycees.com
—Tanya Young
FARM HERITAGE WEEK COMING UP
AT AYCOCK BIRTHPLACE
Once again, Gov. Aycock Birthplace near
Fremont will host its educational Farm Heritage
Week program Monday-Friday, May 8- 12. Each
day, Wayne County fourth graders will be buzzing
around the site as they learn about late 19th century
life through a host of demonstrations presented by
site staff and volunteers.
From 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m., students can watch
a variety of demonstrations including basket weav-ing,
quilting, spinning, plowing, corn shelling and
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April-May 2006
Students watching how the “education governor” and
his family would have sawed wood in the late 1800s.
grinding, blacksmithing, rope making, land surveying, and open hearth cooking. The kids can even
learn how to do quill pen and ink writing, cross cut sawing and even play an old fashioned game of
townball (19th-century version of a bat and ball game that inspired the modern game of baseball and can
be traced back at least as far as the 16th-century). The week-long program will include activities packed
full with learning and excitement. For more information, call (919)242-5581.
—Sarah Liles
HISTORIC SITES PODCAST PLANNING COMMITTEE FORMED
A committee of Historic Sites professionals and managers from across the state has been formed
to help sites plan and create innovative podcasts that will catapult the division’s interpretation program
fully into the 21st century. Chaired by new Museum and Visitor Services Chief David Latham, the com-mittee
met for the first time Thursday, April 6.
Committee members include Natalie Alford, Jann Brown, Mary Cook, Chris Morton, John Rin-con,
Tricia Samford, Chris Graham, and Rich Thompson. Over the next few months, the committee,
along with Jim Willard and Cheyney Hales, will be working with sites on the podcast project. (Cheyney
recently completed a podcast for Tryon Palace, which has been mounted on the Cultural Resources web
site, along with another podcast on the Wolfe Memorial done by the Cultural Resources Marketing Of-fice.
Go to http://www.ncculture.com/podcast/longform.asp to listen to or download either or these
pieces.)
The first priority on the podcast project is to complete audio tours of each state historic site by
early fall, at the request of Secretary Evans’ office. Equipment has been ordered and is now being re-ceived
to enable site managers and staff to record audio content, which will then be assembled and pro-duced
as a podcast in the Raleigh home office. More information on plans for the podcasts’ production
will be passed on as it becomes available.
—Editor
COMINGS AND GOINGS
Please welcome to the division:
• Michelle Lanier, new curator of cultural history, stationed at Charlotte Hawkins Brown Museum.
This is a new position designed to provide support to all 27 sites in terms of diversity programming
and to assist in increasing audiences of color at the state historic sites. Michelle has been on-board
since April 3.
• Marty Matthews, new research curator, stationed in the Raleigh home office. He replaces Dr. Rick
Knapp, who retired this past summer. Marty will join us April 17. (The editor will be particularly
happy to have Marty on board as she has had no copy editor since Rick’s much lamented departure!
• Chris Graham, who will be working on podcasts and other special projects under Museum, Capitol,
and Visitor Services, has transferred to the home office from the N.C. Museum of History.
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April-May 2006
• Mike Shelton, new Historic Interpreter I at Vance Birthplace.
• Diane Bahnson, new Historic Interpreter II at Historic Stagville. She started on the job March 1.
• Natalie Alford, new marketing director at the N.C. Transportation Museum.
Please welcome back:
• Mia Graham, who returned to Bennett Place as Historic Interpreter II on Feb. 15. She was also mar-ried
to Lucas Berg March 1.
• Laura Ketchum, who returned to Duke Homestead Feb. 15 after 4-1/2 months maternity leave.
Please congratulate:
• David Latham, promoted to Museums, Capitol, and Visitors Services Chief. He replace Ed Morris,
who retired this past fall. A longtime employee of Historic Sites, David has already begun working
in the position.
DIVISION NEWS GRAB BAG
• Wolfe Memorial may soon have a virtual tour in the works …
• There’s some house-moving going on at Historic Edenton …
• Horne Creek’s web page (!) is in the process of a much-need revamp, with the help of a dedicated
volunteer …
• Scott Warren and Courtney Hybarger from Polk recently visited their colleagues at the Polk Ances-tral
Home in Columbia, Tenn. Some joint programming may be in the offing …
• If you’re going to be at the beach this spring, do check out Roanoke Island’s web page. They’ve got
a “boatload” of activities planned for April and May.
• Bentonville Battlefield had a very successful 141st battle anniversary program March 18-19 , which
focused on the history of field medicine.
• Ft. Dobbs’ “War for Empire” French and Indian War program attracted big crowds to the
site April 8-9.
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April-May 2006